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Lubavitcher Arrested for Spilling Oil, Injuring Pedestrians

A Crown Heights man was arrested Erev Yom Tov for committing an act of vandalism that injured a number of people. Police have charged Gilad Bazel with criminal mischief for pouring oil on the sidewalk near the Basil restaurant.

Police sources indicated that this incident follows an ongoing dispute between Gilad Bazel, who manages the Eshel Hachnosas Orchim Hotel on Kingston Avenue, and the neighboring restaurant Basil.

On Tuesday, a number of people reportedly slipped on a large oil spill in front of the restaurant, falling down and getting injured. Complaints were file with the 77th precinct and detectives who investigated the incident found surveillance video, and determined that it was Bazel who spilled the oil.

Wednesday, after Bazel was arrested, Basil chef José Edgardo Soto was seen sitting on an Eastern Parkway bench with Mendy Hendel, owner of Eshel, and having a conversation. The photo was sent in by a reader with an attached note “Hendel convincing the Basil chef to drop the charges.” CrownHeights.info could not independently verify this statement.

Police sources told CrownHeights.info that Bazel will be given a Desk Appearance Ticket and will be released in time for Yom Tov.

Mendy Hendel (right) sitting with José Edgardo Soto (center) and another unidentified man on Wednesday afternoon.
Mendy Hendel (right) sitting with José Edgardo Soto (center) and another unidentified man on Wednesday afternoon.

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20 Comments

  • Bazel v. Basel

    Of course he’s mad at them, they stole his name. Wouldn’t you want to oil them up too if they did that to you?

  • Sara

    Have you seen the piles of garbage, tge smell the stench that was in front of 770 Friday night?

    what a shame what could be more disgusting?

    it looked like the city dump in front of 770.

    There is absolutely no excuse for it.

  • Same bazel?

    I hope they will pay for their consequences. Is this the same bazel from the ice cream truck?

  • shocking

    how disgusting, perhaps its time for the drizins to take over the eshel hotel…from these these lowlifes.

  • Don't judge

    God you guys don’t even know the full story and you’re bashing him.
    Basil always put their trash in Eshel’s alleyway.
    It was Basil’s oil!!!! They put the oil in Eshel’s Alleyway!
    After time and time again Eshel finally just spilled the oil in front of their store. This is totally not Eshel’s problem if Basil would have taen care of their trash like they’re suppose to non of this would have happened.

    • Anonymous

      This is Clara the Manager of Basil, we rent the right side if the alleyway and we have a TSB OIL DRUM AND A GARBAGE CONTAINER so that the used oil and garbage should be stored so to have it picked up in the PROPER MANNER!!!

      Unlike the Hotel next door go look RIGHT NOW THE PART OF THERE ALLEYWAY US FULL OF LOSE GARBAGE,food dirt etc etc THEY CANNOT CONTINUE TO DISPOSE OF THERE GARBAGE IN THIS MATTER!!

      Yes they did not like that I share the alleyway and that my drum of oil is in the way not too much though so they decided to dump it on the sidewalk and in the SUCCAH-Causing innocent people injury!!!

      REALLY IS THIS THE G-DLY WAY WE TAKE CARE IF DIFFICULT SITUATIONS????

  • rcsb

    no loshon hora intended, but really, if that is what the manager of of a place which serves food does, then what should we think of the hashgocha? Its something to consider…..

  • AG Eric Schneiderman

    Today, we’re also launching a new joint initiative with @NYCFinance, @NYC_Buildings & OSE to investigate & shut down #NYC illegal hotels.

  • Upset

    Why does everything have to be publicized? This is loshon hora legamrei it’s not like he’s a danger to us. Just stop it already!!!! Maybe start putting up every person that goes to beis din for money etc.

  • Curious

    Isn’t the owner of basil Drizn’s son-in-law? Would Hendel have attacked or is this extortion?

  • c.heightster

    People were hurt. This suspect had little regard for the safety of members of his community. Name him and show his photo as you do with other suspected criminals.